Economy

The Great Lakes have always played a major role in the region's economy -- as the backdrop for shipping, steel-making and other industries. Today, the lakes are crucial to wind energy, tourism and other elements of the new economy.

Ways to Connect

About 40 people testified last week at a public hearing on a potential offshore wind farm in Lake Erie.

The majority of people who spoke at Cleveland City Hall presented favorable testimony to the Ohio Power Siting Board, which will take public comments into account before deciding whether to certify the project. The board's staff recently released a report endorsing the project; it included 34 recommendations for the developer.

A new study explains how the bloody red shrimp -- and other non-native species -- can travel across the Great Lakes. It's pretty simple: They hitch a ride in the ballast tanks of "lakers," the ships that travel around the lakes, but never make it out to the ocean.

Canada is moving to legalize recreational use of marijuana, and officials predict that it’s likely to happen by the end of the year. As pot suppliers gear up for the change. one huge greenhouse being built near the U.S. border is raising some concerns.

Prolonged arctic cold is wreaking havoc on the maritime industry across the Great Lakes. The latest problem: A commercial freighter is stuck in ice in a lock near Massena, N.Y., and it's preventing the St. Lawrence Seaway from closing for the winter.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. said in a news release that the Federal Biscay is “immobilized due to the heavy ice build-up on the lock wall as well as on the vessel’s hull,” but there is no damage.